ENROLL NOW

Who is this course for?

This course is for anyone who wants to be self-reliant and aware of various opportunities for food and medicine - all of which are free and grow all around us. Craig is an avid woodsman but has the bonus of being a certified naturalist. This means you will get a lot of fun facts and information right along with the scientific data that has been heavily researched. Learning will be fun and you'll have peace of mind knowing you have both practical and studied information on the various plants. Craig’s family uses these plants and can offer real-world experiential knowledge on what has worked for them, so you can determine what works best for you.
Who is this course for?

What are other students saying?

  • Title is catchy

    Hedwig Devine

    Easy to understand, entertaining and valuable info. The visuals help a lot.

    Easy to understand, entertaining and valuable info. The visuals help a lot.

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  • Very fitting!

    Joshua McFarland

    Always enjoy learning from Craig Caudill! Fantastic course with great applicable information!

    Always enjoy learning from Craig Caudill! Fantastic course with great applicable information!

    Read Less

  • My backyard!

    Stephanie Richter

    I discovered that I have the majority of these plants in my own back yard. The family will have interesting flavors in their salad now!

    I discovered that I have the majority of these plants in my own back yard. The family will have interesting flavors in their salad now!

    Read Less

  • Weeds edible and fun

    Ron Stiger

    OK, this is my second pass at this video. Each segment has just enough info to perk your interest to learn more and find the "weed" and build your knowledge...

    Read More

    OK, this is my second pass at this video. Each segment has just enough info to perk your interest to learn more and find the "weed" and build your knowledge base. Thumbs up!

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  • OUTSTANDING BEGINNER COURSE

    Danna Gesellchen

    I WOULD HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS COURSE FOR SOMEONE WANTING TO GET STARTED IN FORAGING FOR WILD EDIBLES. SIMPLE, CLEAR EXPLANATIONS AND PRACTICAL TIPS. GOOD JOB!

    Read More

    I WOULD HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS COURSE FOR SOMEONE WANTING TO GET STARTED IN FORAGING FOR WILD EDIBLES. SIMPLE, CLEAR EXPLANATIONS AND PRACTICAL TIPS. GOOD JOB!

    Read Less

Course Objectives

What can you expect to learn?

  • The common and scientific names of the plants so you can accurately identify plants for your study.

  • Includes valuable discussion that details how to read a landscape and site locations for various plants, which will make you more likely to find them. It will save you valuable time foraging!

  • The identifying features of the plants include flowers, stems, roots, leaves, and much more. Learn how to read each of them like a book.

  • You will also learn about plants that may look similar, so you do not get confused in the field.

  • You will learn which parts of the plant are useful and how to use them. As an example, on some plants, the leaves are the best part to be used, and on others, the leaves should be discarded. You will know which pieces are best.

  • Included with each plant is a recipe that you can use. The recipes are purposely simple so you can do most of them at home, or in the field when preparation supplies are limited.

Meet Your Instructor

  • Craig Caudill

    Certified Master Naturalist

    Craig Caudill

    Craig Caudill is an accomplished woodsman, author, podcaster and educator on topics in, and related to, the great outdoors. He has served as a backcountry skills instructor for the Department of Defense, first responders on the federal, state and local level as well as thousands every-day folks like you and me. He is a certified Master Naturalist and brings a lifetime of outdoors experience and practical wisdom to his courses here at Outdoor Core. Craig is the Director/Lead Instructor of Nature Reliance School, headquartered in Central Kentucky. You can reach Craig at www.naturereliance.org.

Course curriculum

  • 1
    Introduction by Master Naturalist, Craig Caudill
    • Terms & Conditions, Disclaimers, and Waiver of Liability
    • Foraging for fun: Eating Weeds Introduction
    • Herbal/Plant Health Disclaimer
  • 2
    Course Lessons
    • Lesson 1: Common Chickweed (Stellaria media)
    • Lesson 2: Dandelion (Taraxacum)
    • Lesson 3: Common Blue Violet (Viola sororia)
    • Lesson 4: Purple Deadnettle (Lamium purpureum)
    • Lesson 5: Pennsylvania Bittercress (Cardamine pensylvanica)
    • Lesson 6: Eastern Redbud (Cercis canadensis)
    • Lesson7: Ground Ivy (Glechoma hederacea)
    • Lesson 8: Common Yellow Wood Sorrel (Oxalis stricta)
    • Lesson 9: Usable and Avoidables, Virginia Creeper and Poison Ivy
    • Lesson 10: Usables and Avoidables, Queen Anne's Lace and Poison Hemlock
    • Lesson 11: Usables and avoidables, Chanterelle and Jack-O-Lantern mushrooms
  • 3
    Final Thoughts and Next Steps
    • Final thoughts and follow-up practice